Easter Sunday 2013

What a gorgeous day here in Orlando, FL!  It is what I call the "perfect" Easter weather.  Crystal clear blue skies, sun shining, a light breeze, and a comfortable 80 degrees.

The kids came over and spent the day with us.  I appreciated having help with the Easter Decor, and fixing dinner.  Usually I have the decor done by Saturday night before I go to the Easter Vigil Mass, but yesterday I lost track of time preparing for Valerie's baby shower that will be here Apr 6.  (If I didn't get the remainder of the shopping done, it wouldn't get done.  Our Spring Break has ended).

Anyway, I enjoyed Valerie's laughter as she filled the eggs with Easter candy.  She was up to some sort of trickery, and only time would tell.  This is a tradition in the Rando household to have these eggs on the table throughout the 50 days of Easter.  Clif appreciates having lots of choices after having a barren Lent for 40 days. 



I had to laugh because as soon as I took the camera out to snap a picture before we started dinner, everyone bolted!  Poor Valerie, being almost 7 months pregnant couldn't escape because her shower gift box had her trapped (it's a rocking chair).  I promised her I'd do my best to keep her out of the picture.



After the kitchen was cleaned up, we decided to compete playing Skip-Bo.  Each couple was a team.  As you can see, Stephen is excited over Amber's strategic move.  They won the first game.  Michael and Valerie won the next.

 Oh, and the laughter returned as we began to get into those Easter eggs.  Valerie mixed up the candies and had us completely baffled...dark chocolate M&M's mixed with milk chocolate ones, Skittles mixed with Jolly Rancher jelly beans, Jelly Bellies mixed with M&M's, and even over-stuffed a few so that when Stephen opened one, beans flew everywhere.  Have you ever laughed so hard, you cry?  Well, that's the kind of laughter we had this evening.  What a blessed and joyous day.

Palm Sunday

I decided to spend the weekend with my dad in Clearwater.  We had a busy and enjoyable weekend.  I decided to come back early after taking Barbara, Pete, and Dad out for breakfast after 8:00 Mass.  I am so glad I came home early.  Ordinarily, I come home around 2-4 pm, but being it is our last prayer session this afternoon at 4, I left at 10, and was home by noon. 

We had a storm move through at 2:30 that came in with a vengence, and lasted about 10 minutes.  The wind, rain, hail, lightning, and thundering left me to cover our home in prayer that we would be safe from any "acts of God".



This pond appeared shortly after the downpour started.  I had to wait til the rain let up to get out to snap the picture. 



Then Clif and I had to assess the garden to make sure it survived the hail.  It seems it did.



Some of the hail was a lot bigger than the normal "pea" sized hail we normally see.

Boy was I glad I wasn't driving home in this mess!  Stephen is sure to be busy today.  He went on shift at 2:00, and we have been hearing sirens since 2:45.  I pray that God keeps everyone protected under His tender, loving care.

Strawberry Festival

     Saturday, Clif and I decided to spend our day at the Strawberry Festival in Plant City, FL. The Festival is just like a State Fair, only with the sole purpose of celebrating the Strawberry harvest.   It was a cold day for Florida, but perhaps not for the northern folk.  It never made it beyond the mid 50's, and with the windchill, it seemed like 40 degrees.  It whipped right through to the bones!  But when the sun was not hidden by the occasional clouds, it was bearable. 
     Strawberries this time of year are in their peak season, and nothing is tastier than strawberries freshly harvested.
     After going through the livestock area and midway, we headed over to the exhibit area. 
 


They had an educational display garden explaining the farming techniques.  The strawberries made our mouths water.  I was saying to Clif, "I'd love to go in and get that one.  Hey, look how ripe that one is!  Yum, that one is really, really ripe!  These can't go to waste! I really want one of those strawberries."



We made our way to the strawberry shortcake line, grabbed our serving and headed over to the Clogging Show put on by the Orlando Cloggers.  This was one of the many free entertainments provided throughout the day.  They were a pleasure to watch, not to mention, it was nice to be out of the wind.  :)



Next we were off to the Robinson Pig Races.  This event has been taking place for at least 25 years.  (Notice the fans are bundled up trying to keep warm.)  The had 4 different events.





These are the potbellied pigs.



The next race they had to swim across a pool.  I felt sorry for the pigs.  Who wants to get wet in cold weather?  The good news though was that they had heating lamps in the pens when the pigs returned.



Who knew pigs could swim?  I didn't.



Even potbelly pigs can swim, but they sure do make a big splash!



They are fierce competitors.  And to think, they race to eat an oreo cookie.

We had an enjoyable day, and brought home a 1/2 flat of strawberries to enjoy.  YUM! :)